Support

Glossary

802.11 802.11a 802.11b, & 802.11g802.11 is a protocol for exchanging data. The a, b, & g designations are network speeds. The Nintendo DS is compatible with routers that support 802.11b and 802.11g.

Access PointAn access point is part of a wireless network which allows devices to access the Internet.

Air Station One-Touch Secure System (AOSS)This feature automatically configures the SSID and WEP key for wireless routers with this feature made by Buffalo Technology with the Nintendo DS. This same feature is used with the Nintendo Wi-Fi USB Connector.

ASCIIThis format represents all the letters and numbers on the keyboard as opposed to the Hex format limitations.

BroadcastingWhen a wireless router is broadcasting, other wireless devices are able to detect that wireless router. If a wireless router is not broadcasting, other wireless devices must know the name (SSID) of that wireless network in order to utilise the wireless router.

Cable ModemCable modems deliver broadband Internet access through the unused portion of a cable television wire (as opposed to a phone line, such as dial-up and DSL).

Connection Setting Save FileThe Nintendo DS is capable of remembering how to connect to up to three separate wireless networks. Each of these is a 'Connection Setting Save File'.

DHCP (Dynamic Host Control Protocol)Any network device, such as your wireless router, can either broadcast a specific IP address, or can ask for one from a server. The act of asking for this address is called DHCP.

Dial Up Internet ConnectionAn Internet connection that uses a phone line and is generally considered slow. A dial-up connection is not 'always on', like cable or DSL access broadband connections, and needs to 'dial out' to connect to the Internet.

DNS (Domain Name System) ServerThis is a special computer within your ISP's network that translates IP addresses into host names.

DSL Internet ConnectionConsidered a high speed/broadband Internet connection, DSL utilises the unused portion of a phone line to access the Internet. Unlike dial-up, DSL is 'always on', and does not use the 'voice' portion of a phone line, allowing phone calls to be made and received while connected.

Friend CodeYour friend code is a unique number that is generated by the Nintendo DS for each Nintendo wi-fi compatible game. This code is meant to be exchanged with friends so that you are able to play against each other in Friend mode via the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection.

FriendsFriends are those people with whom you've exchanged your 'friend code' with, either automatically using the Nintendo DS's local multiplayer modes, or by manually entering them in a Nintendo DS game.

Gateway IPThe Gateway IP is the machine on a network that tells other computers on the same network where to go to find either other computers on the same network or how to get out of the network to access the Internet.

Hex (Hexadecimal) CharactersThis format represents numbers and letters by using combinations of the numbers 0 - 9 and letters A - F.

High-Speed/Broadband Internet ConnectionAn Internet connection established through either a cable or DSL connection. Dial-up is NOT considered a high-speed connection.

Host NameThe relatively plain English name for a computer attached to the Internet. For example, the nintendo-europe.com part of www.nintendo-europe.com is the host name of the web server computer for Nintendo.

IP AddressAn IP address is a unique address that identifies computers on a network. It is a set of 4 numbers separated by periods, such as 192.168.0.1. Similar to the number plate on a vehicle, as this number may change at times.

ISPAn ISP, or Internet Service Provider, is the company (such as Earthlink or AOL) that provides customers with Internet access.

LAN (Local Area Network)The wired or wireless network set up in one particular physical location. For example, the wireless network in your home is a LAN.

MAC AddressEvery piece of network hardware, such as that contained in the Nintendo DS, has a unique identifying number that is placed there by the manufacturer. It is based on a set standard that all manufactures have agreed upon, and no two MAC addresses are alike. Similar to the VIN number of a vehicle, as the number is not changeable.

MAC FilteringMac Filtering is a router function that can be set to allow only certain MAC addresses to communicate on that network. If MAC filtering is on, then the Nintendo DS's MAC address will need to be manually entered on that router in order for the DS to access the Internet.

NetworkA network is a system for communication between computers.

Nintendo Wi-Fi ConnectionThe official name for Nintendo's on-line wireless game play service.

Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection IDThe unique identification number assigned to a specific Nintendo DS when using the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. This number can change if connection settings are overwritten.

Nintendo Wi-Fi USB ConnectorThe licenced Nintendo accessory that plugs into a USB port on a computer This allows Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection wireless game play without a wireless router.

Pass PhraseSome routers will allow you to enter a pass phrase into the router which is then converted to a WEP key. The Nintendo DS does not recognise pass phrases, and requires the actual WEP key to be entered when the router has WEP security.

Primary DNSDNS, or Domain Name Service, is the method of translating the name of a website (such as www.nintendo-europe.com) to the IP address of the computer on which that website is contained, similar to the way that a phonebook associates people to specific telephone numbers. The Primary DNS is the address of the machine that contains this 'address book' of websites.

Region-wideAn option on some Wi-Fi compatible DS games which limits the strangers you can play with over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection to the same country as you.

RivalsStrangers you can play with over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection who have statistics similar to yours.

Secondary DNSA backup of the Primary DNS. This is used if the Primary DNS server is unavailable.

SniffingSniffing is the method that a network device, such as the Nintendo DS, uses to identify available wireless networks in the area.

SSID (Service Set Identifier)This is the name of network that you're trying to connect to.

Static IP AddressA static IP address is when a specific IP address has been assigned to a specific computer on the local network. The opposite of a static IP address is having the computer select one automatically (DHCP).

TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol / Internet Protocol)TCP/IP is the most common protocol for transmitting information around a network Every computer on a TCP/IP network must have its own IP address.

Transmission RateThe speed at which a network device communicates within the network.

USB PortThis is a communication port on your PC to which different types of devices can be connected.

WAN (Wide Area Network)The network outside your home that connects you to the Internet is a WAN.

WEP KeyThe WEP Key is a password which is exchanged between a wireless device and a router or routers using WEP security.

WEP securityA method of encryption used by routers to protect against unauthorised network access.

Wi-Fi Wireless Fidelity. This is a term that is used to describe wireless networks.

Wired Router As opposed to a wireless router, this router connects to the PC and the cable or DSL modem using a cable.

Wireless Router A wireless router allows for network communication to take place between a computer, such as the Nintendo DS, and the Internet.

WorldwideStrangers you can play with over the Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection who are located anywhere in the world.

WPA Security A method of encryption (as opposed to WEP) used by routers to protect against unauthorised network access. The Nintendo DS is not compatible with the WPA method or any other methods of security other than WEP.